Clay Bud Staff

Kiln firing and defensive seedling minion

Forged at a Furnace using 30 clay blocks, a lesser healing potion, a daybloom, and a blinkroot, the Clay Bud Staff is an early summoner weapon introduced in version 1.4.5. Activating the staff consumes 10 mana to sprout a loyal clay bud minion that hovers near the player. When aggressive hostiles approach, the budding plant minion launches petals or bodily impacts enemies, dealing 5 base summon damage with 2 knockback to protect its summoner.

Minion crowd handling and ruthless modifier

The Clay Bud Staff provides an accessible minion option that does not rely on random surface chest generation like the Finch Staff or rare drops like the Slime Staff. Because clay, herbs, and healing potions can be harvested across surface biomes on day one, players can establish a summoner build immediately. When fighting the Eye of Cthulhu, pairing the bud with whips like the Cobwhip enhances minion damage. Reforging the staff to Ruthless grants the greatest boost to minion attack power.

Trivia

• The staff is crafted using surface flora and clay, giving summoners a guaranteed craftable minion right from the start.
• Its summoned minion resembles a potted seedling that actively pursues nearby monsters.